Parker hopes team continues with strong start against Amherst Ramblers

Weeks Crusher Nick Parker during Thursday night’s game at the Wellness Centre against the Amherst Ramblers. The captain is hoping to make the most of his last playoff season as a junior.

“Pretty much everyone has little traditions,” said captain Nick Parker, whether it’s their playoff hair styles or the secret tradition known as “whose got it.” (He’s not allowed to tell any more than the name of the tradition.)

These type of superstitions are common when it comes to the playoffs, but in reality Parker knows it’ll be consistency and strong physical hockey that makes the team successful.

Thursday night was the exact kind of start the team was looking for in their series with the Amherst Ramblers. The team got an early lead in the first period and carried it through to the end.

“We pretty much just want to do more of the same things we did Thursday,” Parker said.

The difference Saturday will be the absence of the hometown crowd, although Parker hopes to see a few familiar faces in the crowd as the loyal fans travel to watch them play.

He hopes too, to take a wind out of the sails of those cheering against them by getting an early lead again.

He hopes to continue to see a strong turnout at the home games throughout the playoffs as well.

“We had a lot of fans there last night. It was probably the loudest it’s been,” he said. “That gets us pumped up and helps us play good. Hopefully it’ll continue.”

This is Parker’s last season of junior after playing for five years. He said in all the previous years, he really hasn’t had an opportunity to take part in a long playoff run and is hoping this might finally have a chance.

“I really want to play as long as I can,” he said.

The Crushers return to the Pictou County Wellness Centre to play again on Tuesday at 7 p.m.